A new center in McAllen, Texas, is part of the Church response to the surge triggered by harsh conditions in Central America and changes in U.S. deportation policies.

Central American immigrants ride atop a freight train to Ixtepec, Mexico, on their way to the United States.

– John Moore/Getty Images

MCALLEN, Texas — Children from Mexico and Central America arrive at the bus station in tattered clothing they’ve worn for weeks. They’re unshowered, hungry and scared. Boys and girls as young as 3 cry out for Mommy, Daddy or Grandma.

Hundreds who arrive here each week have their immediate needs fulfilled by a new Catholic Charities center that opened June 11 near the McAllen bus station.

The children are part of a massive, unprecedented and unanticipated flood of young immigrants escaping treacherous conditions in Latin America, after President Barack Obama announced plans two years ago to stop deportations of child immigrants who meet certain criteria.

The Associated Press reported that authorities apprehended 47,017 unaccompanied children on the border from October through May, up 92% from the same period a year ago. Other news reports say the surge has overwhelmed federal border facilities that lack adequate food, beds and sanitary facilities.

The federal government is trying to hire temporary border agents to babysit the children, as the government determines one at a time whether to deport or connect individuals with family members in the States. Meanwhile, volunteers from religious communities are stepping in to help.

The days-old Catholic Charities facility in McAllen provides clothing, food and personal items as young children and teens wait for federal agents to open case files. Volunteers sing to the kids, assuring them they are loved by God and will be safe.

The center resulted after a handful of Catholic women took initiative to provide for the children’s immediate needs by showing up with supplies.

“I’m so proud of my people. I’m so proud to be Catholic,” said Ofelia de los Santos, who mostly works as a prison-ministry volunteer in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. But today, de los Santos scours churches for Catholic adults willing to endure background checks and immunizations to donate time to help the refugees.

After hours of waiting, some children are returned to Mexico if federal immigration agents can find social workers or relatives willing to receive them. Others are housed in private shelters stateside, mostly established and run by Christians. In the Brownsville Diocese alone, 13 shelters house the immigrant kids. Catholic adults volunteer in all of them. The two largest facilities shelter up to 300 at a time.

Similar facilities are springing up in other border states.

Kids in the shelters are among the fortunate who didn’t get killed, kidnapped or critically injured traveling through Mexico to escape rampant gang violence, corrupt law enforcement and abject poverty throughout Latin America.

Constant news reports of warehoused children have turned the crisis into another political flashpoint for Obama. His critics say lax immigration policies have encouraged the dangerous, sometimes deadly journeys, to a country not adequately prepared to receive them.

Whatever the reason for the surge, Catholics involved in the assistance effort insist that their faith impels them to help.

“Catholics are caring for them because Jesus left us a mission when he left this earth,” de los Santos said. “We are to evangelize to the world and show the people how God loves them. If we are not reaching out to these children, we are not fulfilling our mission, and we will have to account to Jesus for that.”

Perilous Journey

As the El Salvador representative for Catholic Relief Services, Erica Dahl-Bredine sees the other end of the escalating immigration crisis.

“I’ve seen a lot of children who have fallen off the train,” Dahl-Bredine told the Register.

“The train” is commonly known south of the border as “El Tren de la Muerte” (the Death Train). The network of Mexican freight trains has become the primary means of transit for Central American and Mexican children fleeing for refuge in the United States. Teenagers and younger kids run and try to jump onto moving freight cars. Many can’t pull themselves aboard and fall, with the weight of their bodies swinging them onto the tracks with tragic outcomes. Some survive with permanent, debilitating injuries.

“I see children who’ve lost limbs to the train and return home,” Dahl-Bredine said. “The couplings between the cars are notoriously dangerous. I see children who have lost an arm and a leg or both legs.”

If they get on the train and survive, their troubles are far from over. Many have to contend with hostile gangs and other criminals, some who have been paid to protect them.

“I talk to girls who have been gang-raped by the smugglers,” Dahl-Bredine said.

Others who don’t reach the U.S. border simply disappear, never heard from again.

“I work with families who are looking for missing loved ones,” Dahl-Bredine said. “They wander the desert. The children usually are not found. It is heartwrenching.”

Seeking a Better Life

This year’s annual rate of 100,000 refugee children is up from about 6,000 in 2011. The number doubled in 2012 and grew to nearly 60,000 in 2013, based on government data.

She said drug gangs have gained control and are recruiting children as young as 10 years old. The children confuse the gangs with a source of identity and security in a world of hopelessness.

“Parents and grandparents are terrified of what will happen to their children if they stay [in their home countries],” Dahl-Bredine said.

They long for the safety and abundance relatives in the United States can provide for their children, if only they can get there. Smugglers are typically paid to help young children, while tens of thousands of teens are taking initiatives to reach the United States on their own.

“The adults who are sending children know about the horrific dangers involved in this,” Dahl-Bredine said. “When I ask grandmas why they would let children make the trip, they say the gangs won’t leave them alone. They believe the children are in more danger if they don’t make the trip.”

‘Narrative Shift’

At the USCCB, immigration officials have seen a dramatic shift in the rationale Latin Americans cite for sending children to the border.

“It used to be a desire to unify families, provide better opportunity and better education,” said Kristyn Peck, associate director of children’s services for the U.S. bishops’ Children and Migration Office. “Over the past three to four years, we’ve seen the narrative shift. Now, we hear that it’s avoidance of trauma, gang recruitment, extortion by gangs and other extreme dangers. It has gone from hope to desperation. Gangs recruit the children on the school bus. They recruit them in school, on their way to school and on their way home from school.”

Peck said social-welfare programs and schools have deteriorated, as the region’s drug cartels and gangs have gained the upper hand in an environment of worsening poverty.

Peck can think of no practical way for Americans to ensure safe passage for children traveling to the border. Those who make it, she said, should encounter the loving care of Catholics and others.

“These are children,” Peck said. “It is in our mandate as Catholics to care about this population. If you look at Scripture, Christ is a migrant. As a global Church, these are all of our children, and they come from countries that are mostly Catholic. As Catholics, we are well-equipped to respond. Why wouldn’t we respond?”

Peck argues the children who make it are some of the most resilient people in the world. She sees them as an asset to the United States, if given proper care.

“Given opportunities to thrive, they will thrive,” Peck said. “They are incredible people. When you meet them, it is impossible not to see it that way.”

Comments

Carla, the inflammatory language is not helpful. The children aren’t hated. They are victims of exploitation torn from their families and need to be with them.

Posted by carla ash on Sunday, Jul 6, 2014 3:41 PM (EDT):

Perhaps I missed it, but please post how we can help by sending money DIRECTLY to some of the groups giving basic needs to these human beings. Thank God for Catholic Charities to help counter the hatred these innocents face from too. too many. They should thank God they have never had to walk in their shoes/bare feet.

Posted by Diana on Thursday, Jul 3, 2014 5:58 PM (EDT):

After watching people respond regarding the hundred of thousand illegal immigrants coming to the USA. Here is my observation. 1)Break the laws of God or the Church and you are a sinner going to hell. Break USa government laws and you might get health care, an education, housing, food, etc. and a low wage job. I realize these are not black and white issues. Lets aim to fix the problems in Central American countries before we bring more problems to the USA. Am I totally wrong?

Posted by ANNE on Thursday, Jul 3, 2014 8:10 AM (EDT):

As usual and as expected OBAMA and his Administration are breaking the law by not enforcing - the “IMMIGRATION and CONTROL ACT of 1986”.
Requires employers to attest to their employees’ immigration status;
made it illegal to knowingly hire or recruit illegal immigrants;
legalized certain seasonal agricultural illegal immigrants.
.
OBAMA refuses to Protect US Borders.
Yet in his “talking points”, he blames members of the other political Party as usual.
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This is all right out of marxist Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for Radicals’ to bring down the government by overwhelming government resources with the needs of (ILLEGAL immigrants) the poor.
This is an Obama Administration manufactured crisis proven by his inaction (with only words in the wind).
Thanks to Obama the USA is already $17.5 TRILLION in debt.
.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT Minors should all immediately be returned to their Parents and/or their Country of origin. They are not being persecuted for their religious or political beliefs.
_______________________

Posted by Casting Crowns on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2014 5:26 PM (EDT):

This “problem” was self-created by Obama when he announced he would not be deporting anyone except hardened criminals and by implementing his own Executive Action “Dream Act” when he realized Congress would not agree with his vision. Illegals already here then communicated this information to friends, family and relatives in Mexico and Central America. Congress had a right to not believe Obama would ever enforce border control and those who voiced this skepticism have been proven right.

Posted by annmarie on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2014 4:51 PM (EDT):

A mercy ship should be established to take them back to their own country and family. We just cannot take them. The Bishops should be helping with such a ship.

Posted by Wandasmama on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2014 1:17 PM (EDT):

The NCR reports “The children are part of a massive, unprecedented and unanticipated flood of young immigrants escaping treacherous conditions in Latin America”. This is untrue. Our government PLANNED for this as far back as January when they issued a solicitation for “Escort Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children”. Details within the solicitation request ground and air transport of approximately 65,000 Unaccompanied Alien Children. Here is the official government link: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=c6d7c0050b912fbc917a46d6709d38bd&tab=core&_cview=0

This humanitarian disaster has been well planned and staged. To what ends, only Satan knows…
Please pray for these poor unfortunate children, their families, and our dedicated service people who will have to deal with the human trafficking, disease and misery. Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for us!

Posted by DisturbedMary on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2014 11:44 AM (EDT):

Elad, the Church is getting the illegal immigration business. This is the Government/Catholic complex in action. The Government creates and encourages child trafficking and Catholic Charities steps in to feed, clothe, house, and provide healthcare. Sounds so righteous of CC? Don’t forget, eventually all the girls will end up at Planned Parenthood as part of the si se puede American dream. The only ones who don’t know that are our Bishops.

Universal, you sounded so Catholic until you spoke about owing jobs to illegal immigrants and the need for immigrants for our economy to survive. We are a nation of immigrants. But we have been a nation of legal immigrants, who took a pledge of allegiance and understood that God is the creator. We help whoever is in our path, but when a brother is illegally in our country, that path is to rectify that situation, not just ignore it and give him or her a job or home or education. This cries out for action in Central America. The Honduran President is blaming us for these children being shipped to the US. Remember when Christ said He was the fulfillment of the law, He also said not the smallest part of it would be done away with. Christians do not do evil to achieve good. The end does not justify corrupt means. Christ doesn’t just exist only in the U.S. He is in every nation where people love and honor Him and He is welcome. He is especially close to the poor. People are not opposed to helping anyone. We are opposed to policies that are using the poor as political pawns and overwhelming states with situations bound to cause anger and resentment and violence. These infants belong with their parents. They are precious souls and a natural resource of their nation. Can you imagine shipping your children away? If their nations are so troubled, what part did our economic and political power have in it? What needs to change? Why have I never read of us sending troops to Guatemala or Honduras to insure order and democracy, yet we send them to the Mideast and Afghanistan and Africa and Ukraine? Why is it ok for these Catholic Central Americans to be encouraged to break laws? Why has there been no flood of priests or deacons or religious or lay volunteers to these countries to serve them where they live so they can stay united? Of course since they are here we will do what we can to help them, including feeding and clothing and getting them safely back to their own country because these children are parentless and prey for all sorts of predators and including calling for our government to stabilize these nations and help them develop economically. We are a nation that has lost true FAITH in God. Government and man are not the answer.

Posted by Diana on Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 12:10 PM (EDT):

Universal, I agree we need to help the truly needy; but I see this sudden illegal immigration influx of children nothing human trafficking made to look legal. This kids are being used as political pawns. Maybe its time we organize 100,000 Catholics to march down to the Central American border and start going into their country in mass numbers to bring humanitarian needs and the gospel to the people. What are we waiting for? Why not aim to make their country like ours? Would you send you 3 year old on a thousand mile bus with strangers? How do you know your kids won’t be raped, given to a drug cartel or brought up into sex slavery? You think the government is going to protect these kids? The Catholic church has rules. Why? What happens if you break the rules? The USA has rules. Why? What happens if you break the rules? I will agree our immigration program is broken but Washington doesn’t want to fix it because it means less power for them and so the people suffer. Marching thousands of innocent kids across the border is only putting them at risk and is not the answer. They need to be returned.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 11:56 AM (EDT):

@Universal: (who wrote) “WE are a country of immigrants, and those who preceded us DID NOT arrive here legally.”
-
Excuse me? Sorry to burst your bubble. My grandparents arrived (as did many) “legally” and had to be *sponsored* so as not to be a drain on American taxpayers. There were no liberals, immigration advocates, lawyers or community organizers with a kiosk at Ellis Island signing them up for free government benefits at Taxpayer expense.
-
From your perspective, it seems being Catholic excludes “Social Justice” for the American taxpayer.

Posted by Kenny on Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 9:29 AM (EDT):

“Our immigration system is broken, and those who are pointing fingers today are the same ones who have done NOTHING to fix it.”

Yes, our immigration system is indeed broken. An that’s because our political leaders—like the supposed ‘Catholic’ Teddy (The Swimmer) Kennedy—have flaunted the law by refusing to seal our southern border, and have thus allowed millions of people into America who don’t belong here.

And if the Church is so concerned about these illegal Third World aliens, why doesn’t the Vatican open its gates to them? Any answers from you knee jerk apologists for Catholic Church leadership?

Posted by ANNE on Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 8:13 AM (EDT):

You are right Universal. We must support LEGAL immigration, not ILLEGAL immigration.
We should never encourage law breaking.
.
We should all contact President Obama with copies to our elected Senators and House of Representatives - and request that the President protect our borders and enforce the “IMMIGRATION and CONTROL ACT of 1986” in entirety.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Reform_and_Control_Act_of_1986
.
For donations -“Aid to the Church in Need” and “Caritas International” are very good charities to assist those in foreign countries in need.
If the Bishops in central America put out a call for the poor, we should send whatever we can since they know what they need better than the rest of us.
______________________

Posted by John on Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 8:03 AM (EDT):

First of all, Universal, I’m not going to hold myself accountable to Indian tribespeople on this matter or any other. I notice that such peoples quite willingly make use of these sorts of charges when they believe doing so will be in their best interests; ie. it benefits them to do so. Any other time, we receive a very cold shoulder.

In keeping with this thought, I emphasize to you that We, the People, of the United States, never had the responsibility for caring for all of these migrants in the first place. If we have a need to help humanity, let’s remember that the citizenry and leadership of these various nations had responsibility in these concerns well before we did.
For some reason, minority advocates here in the US seem to conveniently forget that part very easily.

Simply put, I do not intend to hold the populace of the United States to account for the sin and neglect of the peoples—and possibly clergy—of other nations.

Posted by Universal on Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 12:50 AM (EDT):

Do any of you remember the meaning of the term “Catholic”? It means UNIVERSAL. Jesus taught us to be compassionate and to help those who need it the most. Are we just supposed to turn our back to these children? Where is our humanity? Are we real Catholics or are we only pretending to be?

Our immigration system is broken, and those who are pointing fingers today are the same ones who have done NOTHING to fix it. Therefore we have families that are torn apart, people who want to come to this country to work but can’t because we don’t allow it. How come we give our brothers and sisters from Cuba status as soon as they get to the US, because we disagree with their government? For political reasons? And we can’t embrace our Central American brothers and sisters that are risking their lives in order to SURVIVE? WHERE’S OUR HUMANITY?

Immigrants ARE a HUGE part of our economy, whether we want to admit it or not. WE are a country of immigrants, and those who preceded us DID NOT arrive here legally. Just ask Native Americans.

Posted by Larry Northon on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 10:29 AM (EDT):

Ursula: Are you an agent of the FSB (Russian Federal Security Service) or SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service)? This certainly sounds like official, pro-Putin propaganda to me.

Posted by Stilbelieve on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014 12:41 AM (EDT):

Fox News.com: “A spokesman for the National Border Patrol Council, though, told Fox News Tuesday that celebrating illegal immigrants in this way minimizes the sacrifices Border Patrol agents have made to keep the border secure.

“‘Today’s event at the White House is a real slap in the [face] to Border Patrol agents who risk their lives every day to protect this country from drug smugglers, cartels and illegal aliens who are attempting to break the laws of the United States,/ Shawn Moran, the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, said.”

Bishops of the United States, what is your response this White House endorsement of illegal youth? Show me the quotes of Jesus endorsing this.

Posted by erica regan on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2014 9:15 PM (EDT):

thank you. as a catholic i knew we would step in. this was making me physically ill. what can we do to help? clothes, food, what is needed. dont want to overwhelm them with unneeded items. after a hurricane destroyed our town we had thousands of boxes of toothbrushes, and not a single can opener. funny in retrospect but not at the time. so let us know what is actually needed. thanks.

Posted by ursula riches on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2014 12:00 PM (EDT):

In my part of the UK, the petrol prices have gone up to £1.28 per liter. 1 gallon = 4.5461 litres so, multiply that by £1.28 and we have £5.82 per gallon. Convert it into dollars and this makes $9.87. The exchange rate is today’s which is £1 = $1.70.
Can you imagine in America paying $9.87 for a gallon of petrol? This is eight pints right? It is double and then almost half again. $9,530 p.a is the amount the 20% poorest Brits are paid.
I expect that fighting wars & funding illegal violent regime changes for the IMF banksters and the oil corporations in Libya, Syria Ukraine and funding terrorism in Africa does not come cheap. The EU alone has admitted paying Ukraine over $108 billion as they paid for poor rioters from nations other than Ukraine as well. Ukraine has been using NATO marked helicopters and bombers on the people ie civillians like children and nurses in hospitals. This is in the East, against the people who have decided by massive majority to break away from Ukraine since its lawfully elected president was ousted in an illegal USUKEU backed violent coup.
Russia is filling with refugees from these regions.
I do not think the American people should be held liable for the national debt if you all protest at the way it is spent abroad. Whoever you borrowed it from and whoever you owe it to has the power to say what the money is used on- but have you registered your disapproval of that?

Posted by Casting Crowns on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2014 11:31 AM (EDT):

@Stilbelieve: How interesting that Obama who throws a tantrum whenever he can’t get his own way and then rules by “Executive Order” wants Israel to respect Palestinian borders when doesn’t even respect the American border with Mexico.—
In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I would like to see Archbishop Gomez stop appearing at pro-illegal alien rallies where his native Mexican flag is being waved so proudly from the stage. In addition, he was a prime mover for allowing illegals to have a Driver License in CA along with Governor Moonbeam.

Posted by Stilbelieve on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2014 8:53 AM (EDT):

Diana, do what you can and then elect people who will work to stop these problems being fostered on us. $4 gallon gas is crazy, but Obama and the Democrats think that is OK. President Reagan signed legislation in ‘86 that was supposed to solve illegal immigration, but the Democrats never funded securing the boarder because they want the Latins flowing into the U.S. who, when legalized and given citizenship, will vote for them 75 to 80%. Obama, this very day, is welcoming illegals into the White House, honoring them for what they are doing to get even more illegals here. It’s crazy and not going to stop until people stop giving them the control of government. And I blame Catholics for all of this happening because they are the ones giving the Democrats the electoral power to impose their rules governing us from murdering the unborn to flooding our poorly protected borders with illegals. And the Catholics most to blame for this are the bishops who intentionally modified the Church teaching to allow those Catholics, including the clergy, to remain in and support the worldly organization responsible for all the mess we have in this country, particularly the continued murder of unborn babies now exceeding 57,000,000 - the Democratic Party.

Posted by Diana on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 9:48 PM (EDT):

My own church has us stretched thin. Not only is it weekly tithing, but money is asked for Catholic schools and CSA, money for the building repair fund and other church programs. There is money for missions and the poor and it goes on and on. I live a modest life and also have other charities I like to donate to. I’m sure they will be asking for money to support these illegal families and children. When does it end? Going to church is getting a bit depressing.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 3:25 PM (EDT):

Thank you, USCCB for encouraging more anchor babies so the cousins and grandparents can come as well. No doubt the Bishops Relief Fund will be the cause of more 2nd and now 3rd Collections at Sunday Mass to accommodate more illegal aliens under the banner of “Social(ism) Justice.”

Posted by John on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 1:25 PM (EDT):

I remember thinking some years ago that if we deported several million illegal immigrants, we’d create a humanitarian crisis just south of the border, so it wouldn’t be wise.
Seems we now have the humanitarian crisis here already.

I think we need to close the borders promptly. If they don’t have ID, they need to return home, such as that is possible.

We need to place a few divisions of US Army and US Marine troops on the border.
It’s too late for any “reasonable” measures.

Posted by Stilbelieve on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 12:49 PM (EDT):

This sudden rise in the number of minor children flooding our southern boarder from Spanish speaking countries reminds me of the sudden rise in gun trafficking flooding into Mexico from the U.S., and increased civilian and drug murders along the boarder early on in Obama’s first term. It turned out to be a Barack Obama/Eric Holder scheme of flooding weapons with known serial numbers from the U.S. registered gun dealers into Mexico with federal government undercover authorized sales to Mexican drug dealers, without telling the Mexican government. The intent was to create an uproar along the boarder states and Mexico demanding that there be greater regulations on guns and gun sales. It was exposed when one of these tracking number weapons was found at a crime scene where an American boarder agent was murdered. Obama lied about it in an interview on a Mexican TV station, claiming this was a program started under George W. Bush, that he inherited, and is working to bring it to an end.

Flooding the boarder with kids from Spanish speaking countries is a political scheme to extract an emotional reaction from Americans, especially Catholics, demanding a solution to immigration problems, a solution that will be made based on emotion, not common sense and wisdom, i.e., a solution that will benefit the Democratic Party politically in the future since most Spanish speaking people in the Americas are Catholic and 75% of Spanish Catholic U.S. citizens vote for the pro-abortion Democratic Party, disregarding what they say they believe and pray for in church.

Posted by Stilbelieve on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 11:54 AM (EDT):

Like Eric Cantor, the House Majority Leader who lost his re-election Primary in the 7th Congressional District of Virginia last week after having won 7 elections before; the U.S. Bishops are tone-deaf to what the majority of people here on this comment board are saying. They, the bishops, think they know better - yet the fruit of their works is: 57,000,000 murdered babies in the U.S.; same-sex marriage in 17 states and more to come; First Amendment Constitutional Rights under attack by the federal government; the Church, Herself, being attacked by the federal government over birth-control and health insurance; 100s of millions of Americans losing their health insurance and being forced to buy higher priced healthcare of a lower quality by doctors they don’t know whose decision to treat them will be made by a 15 member government unelected panel that will be making life and death decisions for them; the housing market and mortgage industry collapse due to government imposed sub-prime lending to the poor and low income, lobbied for by the bishops for years; the consequential economic collapse and increased unemployment; 92,000,000 men without jobs, 47% of the households on welfare; and half of the church-going Catholics and half of the clergy registered to vote risking their eternal salvation due to pridefulness thinking they are morally superior than other people when they give their name identification and support to a worldly organization that is diabolically opposed to what those Catholic say they believe and pray for - an organization that is responsible for all these things happening.

Posted by tg on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 11:43 AM (EDT):

How about every concerned liberal adopt these children or become a foster parent?

Posted by mrscracker on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 10:46 AM (EDT):

Sure, there’s all kinds of problems generated from Latin American drug cartels,one being kids trying to escape recruitment, but exactly who is buying the drugs? Who creates the market for drugs? We do mostly.

Posted by Elad Thims on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 9:21 AM (EDT):

We have started a movement in WNY to defund Catholic Charities for this practice. There will soon be a network of websites to assist with this. Mexicans are leaving the church in droves once they are in America for 5 years. So whatever the Catholic church is trying to do other than bring in Mexican gangs, this is not going to be good business for the church. Next time they ask for donations in your church, tell them your money is going to the government to fund illegal aliens breaking down our nation and to get it from them.

Posted by ANNE on Monday, Jun 16, 2014 8:33 AM (EDT):

The lack of enforcement of our immigration laws and
the lack of border protection
lies squarely with the Obama Administration (since Jan 2009).
When border States tried to do something about being overwhelmed, he instructed his appointed Attorney General Holder to take those States to Court via liberal judges who legislate from the bench.
The “Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986” is being ignored.
Obama is purposely overwhelming our system of Government in many areas which will lead to economic destruction.
.
We must stand firm and loudly remind our Bishops and others that the USA is no longer a “prosperous nation” = $17.6 TRILLION dollars in debt; not to mention State and local government debts. (See requirement to pay debts in CCC #2411 - Commutative Justice.)
That ILLEGAL aliens are not “guests” of the USA.
That there is not enough employment for all USA citizens (requiring those able bodied persons to work to get government assistance rather than be slothful).
That the immigrants requirement in the CCC to “OBEY the LAW” includes immigration laws.
That immigrants requirement to contribute to assist in carrying out civil burdens does not mean being a financial burden, forcing the Country and States to spend billions to put documents into their language, etc.
.
Church teaching is correct - (CCC 2241).
Some Bishops do not adhere to the CCC in entirety.
That is why every Catholic should own and read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” - for accuracy of Church teaching which must be taken in entirety.
And then those Bishops should be corrected with respect (and documentation from the CCC) - Code of Canon Law 212 #3 - under “Rights and Obligations of ALL the Christian Faithful”.
.
If you are told to violate anything within the CCC (which contains the Doctrine of the Faith), no Catholic is required to do so.
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By not closing our border except to LEGAL immigration and LEGAL trade, we encourage law breaking, illicit drug trade, sexual slavery, and breaking up of families.
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As individuals we can help the truly poor in other Countries by donating to the “Church in Need” and “Caritas International”.
This is in accord with the Church teaching of Subsidiarity.
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Never blame the “CHURCH” because some clergy do not teach or act according to Church teaching.
________________________

Posted by pogothe2nd on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 11:51 PM (EDT):

The Honduran President scolded the USA for its lax immigration laws and enforcement. He sees the illegal children migration as OUR fault - which it is! The immigration policy of the Church is based on selfish, unrealistic altruism. The continued disregard of our immigration laws and the abetting of illegal immigrants to come and settle here will only go from bad to worse, as is the result of almost all liberal solutions to problems. The Church and fellow immigration activists need to STOP pursuing such a reckless path.

Posted by MLsouth on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 3:46 PM (EDT):

the media in central America is encouraging these children to come to the USA. The newspapers are telling them that NOW is their chance to come to the USA since this president is not enforcing immigration laws. It’s pathetic. These parents are putting their children at great risk too. And the worst part of it is that they are also being lied to by Obama who is making them promises not even he can keep. the whole situation is all around incomprehensible!

Posted by dymphna on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 3:37 PM (EDT):

How many of these kids are really adults?

Posted by Victoria M. Rivera on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 2:49 PM (EDT):

Aside of the orchestration by the Obama administration for this situation, I can’t help but wonder if the USCCB must share in the responsibility of these events. The Catholic Church in the U.S. has become deaf to the needs of its own U.S. citizens sitting in the pews that are suffering from unemployment/underemployment, from over-taxation and a bigger and more powerful government that undermines our individual freedoms, including religious freedom not just of the Church. Equal justice…not social justice policy that is heavily influenced by Alinsky.
If your last name is Smith, shouldn’t you be able to work as a carpenter on a construction site without having to first speak Spanish and also enjoy the living wage you could once earn before cheaper labor made this impossible? Why are so many U.S. teenagers, including from low income homes unable to find work? I am not unsympathetic to the circumstances that drive many from other countries to this country, but where is the sympathy of the Church regarding the struggles of its American citizens?

Posted by mary riley on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 2:03 PM (EDT):

I think we should support charities in their countries so that they do not leave and travel in such a dangerous way and be used as a political means in this country

Posted by Diana on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 10:14 AM (EDT):

This is terrible! This is nothing but human trafficking all made to look legal. I can’t imagine the pain the parents of these kids must feel and I can’t imagine how abandoned these kids feel. Someone big is behind this and it wouldn’t surprise me if Washington politicians are behind this among others. No one in their right mind can tell me these kids just decided one day to organize and and walk thousands of mile into the USA. We need to get to the bottom of this as these children need to return to their homeland. I wish the world would work at making their own countries a better place to live than use the USA as a dumping ground. My prayers are with these innocent victims.

Posted by Mary G. Mower on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 1:57 AM (EDT):

We can barely, if at all, afford to take care of those whom are naturalized, native, and natural born in this country. There was a mass immigration during the Great Famine & other people from other countries, but they had to go through Ellis Island-or be sent back. If Guantanimo closes as a prison, have it open as a nre Ellis Island, and those wanting to be in this country MUST go through the Island, or be sent back. If they, like these children and others before them, did enter illegally(which is EXACTLY what it is!)then it’s an automatic return to the point of origin.
There is really no point in giving any country in Latin America any funds and assistance, especially when the countries are practically emptying into ours. Suppose if all Americans did the same thing in Latin America and/or Canada, will we be so lucky in demanding automatic stay, expecting to not have to speak the ( if not English) native language, federal assistance; of course not, we would have been deported, as should they and demand their respective countries to get their affairs in order to resolve the issue-not by sending their citizens here.

Posted by anonymous on Sunday, Jun 15, 2014 1:28 AM (EDT):

I admire the Catholic charities for their help, this is their and our mission. Here is our government depending on the Catholic charities for aid, and the HHS mandate is their thanks. I too would like to know who is behind all of this.

Posted by annmarie on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 11:18 PM (EDT):

From the Border.Please read more about this than this article. The “kids” are for the most part 17 or more years old and many are gang members. This is political and they all have homes to go back to. Look at the pictures. Clean. Well fed. Modern clothing. They are coached about what to say. one is quoted saying it costs $8,000 to get here. Your tax dollars at work? Or enough money to live well for a year down there. This is destructive.

Posted by Pam on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 10:58 PM (EDT):

God sees into the hearts of us all. Do we really think THIS is caring for the children and the poor? Thousands crossing and a few hundred housed? Thousands exposed to predators and illness and danger. Families totally torn apart. Was there one word in this article about holding the governments of these nations accountable for establishing order or assisting them in achieving it so these children, who are the future of THEIR countries, can return and thrive? The President has destabilized most of the world during his tenure. We are all accountable for electing him. God have mercy.

Posted by Dorothy Smith on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 9:52 PM (EDT):

This is a planned and orchestrated mass invasion having little to do with the plight of these children
and more to do with Democrat politics to grow our government, erode our national culture, and
overwhelm our borders, and make more people dependent on our government. More importantly, this is a National Security issue. The Catholic Church has no business
getting suckered into this political morass.

Posted by DisturbedMary on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 7:32 PM (EDT):

Whatever happened to The Catholic Church establishing missions in Mexico and Latin America? Would cost a lot less and avoid fracturing out tottering economy. Instead Catholic Charities is collaborating with our anti-American government against American citizens who will eventually have to pay for their healthcare, education, housing and food.

Posted by DoloresmWeaver on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 3:53 PM (EDT):

So we are a nation without borders now ? This is an orchestrated diversion for the drug cartels and we will hold them responsible as well as the countries that are dumping them. They will be exploited by the corrupt Mexican government as well as those throwing their children into the lions den of rapist, drug dealers, murderers, child trafficers, murderers. We have turned a blind eye to such corruption and our own immigration policies and most of all this administration pathetic leadership. How is the golf game going Pres. Obama?

(From Poet Emma Lazarus’ sonnet “The New Colossus”, written in 1883 for an auction to raise funds for the Statue’s pedestal and later engraved on a bronze plaque placed in that very pedestal, best expresses the impact the Statue of Liberty continues to have on people across America and throughout the world:
From the National Park Service website..)

Posted by Stilbelieve on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 3:19 PM (EDT):

“‘The adults who are sending children know about the horrific dangers involved in this,’ Dahl-Bredine said. ‘When I ask grandmas why they would let children make the trip, they say the gangs won’t leave them alone. They believe the children are in more danger if they don’t make the trip.’”

Again, I ask, how can the U.S. bishops be telling our government what they should do economically when their brethren Catholic countries south of the boarder have produced this?

Posted by Stilbelieve on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 3:06 PM (EDT):

“Kids in the shelters are among the fortunate who didn’t get killed, kidnapped or critically injured traveling through Mexico to escape rampant gang violence, corrupt law enforcement and abject poverty throughout Latin America.”

Aren’t these Catholic countries? What a testimony to the years of work of the bishops down there. And the USCCB is going to tell Congress what they should do for the people here in the U.S.? Is Catholicism different in different countries?

Posted by Bill on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 3:03 PM (EDT):

Regardless of who or whatever caused this influx, these children are VICTIMS and they are in need. As Catholic Christians we must help THEM. Certainly we can pray for them. My wife and I also plan to send a donation as soon as we find out how to do that.

Posted by Kenny on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 1:50 PM (EDT):

Pack them all up and dump then off at the Vatican. Then see how the Church’s attitude changes as its precious little enclave turns Third Worldish.

Posted by ANNE on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 1:41 PM (EDT):

US Bishops need to talk to Mexican Bishops to stem the tide of ILLEGAL immigration (law breaking).
And not aid and abet in the breaking of US laws, including their charitable organizations.
.
US Bishops need to ask the US government to close and protect our border from ILLEGAL immigration. This will slow the illegal drug trade, slow sexual trafficking, and keep Mexican families together. - or are these issues no longer important?
.
CCC: ” 2241 The more PROSPERIOUS nations are obliged,
to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin.
Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a GUEST under the protection of those who receive him.
Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the RIGHT to IMMIGRATE subject to various juridical conditions,
especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption.
Immigrants are OLBLIGED to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to OBEY its LAWS and to ASSIST in CARRYING civic burdens.”
(caps are mine)
.
1) The US is no longer a prosperous nation. Today’s national debt= $17.5 TRILLION (this does not include State and local government debt).
2) A guest is not someone who is uninvited.
3) Obama Administration has the obligation to enforce the “Immigration and Control Act of 1986, and protect our borders - not continue to break the law.
4) Immigrants must obey the laws, including immigration laws.
5) Immigrants must assist in carrying civic burdens, not create civic burdens.
__________________________

It occurred to me this morning that there are millions of people from countries around the world who want “a better way of life.” Shouldn’t they have an open border too? The truth is, we cannot accommodate everyone; by the sound of it, humanitarian workers and border agents cannot either. At some point, law and common sense principles must apply. If not, people looking for a better life won’t bother to come here, as the “better life” will have traveled to some other country.

Posted by Rose on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 12:19 PM (EDT):

They should be loaded in buses and sent back into Mexico immediately after they arrive. We owe them nothing and this will destroy our country. This was put into place by our so-called government, Mexico and Central America with one thought in mind and that is to over throw our country.

Posted by William O Rudolph on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 12:07 PM (EDT):

I just wonder about the younger children that have been brought there by their mothers. That’s sheer abandonment. Whatever the circumstances, those children need their mothers more than anything else that America can provide.

Posted by Ursula Riches on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 11:55 AM (EDT):

Whatever is causing the conditions which create the need to send young children away from their parents are something that the Catholic laity should look into, publicise and address. Perhaps the Catholic laity can put our heads together to see what can be done and what solutions can be applied, for it is not a good thing that this is happening. Neither is mass immigration a good thing and the same can be said about this.
Jesus came with just his family and not in a wave of mass immigration so His unique plight did not merit intervention. The family of Jacob was not a mass immigration into Egypt, although they were a sizable family.
Yes, we must welcome immigrants but we need to think of the immigration Jesus referred to, was it MASS immigration? This shows that the people en masse are in difficulty and changes need to be made- by us the laity.

Posted by Tired Catholic on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 11:23 AM (EDT):

This invasion was NOT unexpected, and has been encouraged by the Community Organizer In Chief and his renegade minions.

The fact that these supposedly-unaccompanied children are not being turned away at the border speaks volumes, and clearly indicates this is an invasion that has been planned.

How many people are aware that the U.S. government has been ADVERTISING welfare benefits on MEXICAN television and radio stations for a few years now?

This invasion is solely for the benefit of politicians currently in office who wish to recruit new voters and retain their positions. These children and families are being used as PAWNS by the government, a convenient tool to bankrupt the United States.

I do have compassion for these unfortunate pawns, but have no sympathy for the politicians who enticed them here. Whatever expenses the Catholic church is incurring for assisting with this effort should be reimbursed directly by the POLITICIANS who have caused this nightmare… NOT American taxpayers.

While this situation is clearly newsworthy, and should be front-page news on EVERY media outlet, the version presented here is not entirely truthful. I live in a border state and am well aware of what is going on… but only through news outlets OTHER than the mainstream media.

And most of the immigrants being HELPED OFF THE BUSES BY OUR BORDER PATROL agents do not appear to be dirty, hungry, and destitute. (eyewitness testimony) Many of them are clearly-pregnant women, here for the sole purpose of obtaining a U.S. birth certificate and thus ‘citizenship’ for their babies.

Facts are facts, and we do all we can to help, but we can not and will not help with this, sorry.

Posted by Elad Thims on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 11:20 AM (EDT):

Why is the Catholic Charities aiding illegal activity? Breaking our nation. At least I know to never give another dime to Catholic Charities again. I will post to facebook too. We cannot afford more gangs here. We have no jobs and are suffering. Catholic Charities is assisting the death of this nation.

Posted by Kenny on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 11:09 AM (EDT):

Send them all back on the bus they rode in on.

Posted by Larry Northon on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 11:03 AM (EDT):

The National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers is charging that the federal government is secretly transporting the children into the country in order to bring pressure for new immigration laws. Association Chairman Zack Taylor, in a press release, said, “This is not a humanitarian crisis. It is a predictable, orchestrated and contrived assault on the compassionate side of Americans by her political leaders that knowingly puts minor Illegal Alien children at risk for purely political purposes.”

Posted by Rosemarie Kury on Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 10:29 AM (EDT):

These are just kids! Would like to know where to donate to help them. Would rather give to Cathoic Charities rather than the UCCB or another organization which will go directly to them.

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